BERSATU vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s views which justify the granting of tenders and contracts to seal election victories invokes more questions than answers.

This man is a former PTD Officer, and has been well trained in the Treasury Instructions (TI) and General Orders (GO). Furthermore, he was once trusted to lead the Election Commission, even if he was accused of being party to too much of the gerrymandering that has happened of the last 60 years.

What I find most offensive is that he can stand up on a podium and speak as if neither God nor the rule of law exists in Malaysia. And much to his great shame, at about the same time, Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave an excellent treatise about what is rule of law in Malaysia.

Granted that in the last 60 years, Malaysia was not the epitome of rule of law, but more like rule by law, what has eluded this idiocrat is that it is the people and not Bersatu that have brought change to Malaysia.

The greatest insult to all Malaysians, who are rational and want a clean government and governance, is that he got a standing ovation, from the delegates. One notable exception was the Youth wing of the party called Armada; its chief spoke clearly and unequivocally, stating he would rather leave the party than compromise his principles.

Training in character and discipline

As a grandfather of three boys, I always think about the discipline of training and drawing boundary lines for the next generation. I really only have two principles for grandkids to follow:

1. When daddy or mommy says “No”; it means “No”!

2. Know the difference between needs and wants; especially in life choices.

So, I find it difficult to understand, that a person so highly honoured as a Tan Sri with the PSM award does not understand what these same principles are. Cheating, stealing and lying are not part of traditional Malay culture.

Is he then proposing that modern Malays can cheat, steal, and lie? Wasn’t that what we fought against in the last 15 years? If he assumes that Dr Mahathir appreciates and values that culture and values, please reread his most recent poem version of “Perjuangan Yang Belum Selesai.”

The latest one, In English was written before the 14th general election.

Rule of Law 2.0

Dr Mahathir gave an excellent summary of the principle of rule of law, even though, it would appear that for more than 50 years, we as a country, have conducted rule by laws.

Under the latter, the chief and his cadre of kitchen cabinet members dictate what the law is. In 1988, under that same principle, the sacking of the former Chief Judge of Malaysia happened. It was wrong in the eyes of the rest of the world. Later, as almost an admission by the Umno leadership, an ex-gratia payment was made to the victims of that coup de grace.

In that incident, although a very elaborate legal due process was followed, it was always considered a political fallout and political victimisation of the “apparent wrong-doers!” History cannot be rewritten.

In the past 61 years, with limited exceptions, rule by law was the order of the day for the government in power. Today, it must become rule of law 2.0. No exceptions, and none is above the law. – January 7, 2019.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.